Lowrank finite-differences and lowrank fourier finite-differences for seismic wave extrapolation in the acoustic approximation

Abstract

We introduce a novel finite-difference (FD) approach for seismic wave extrapolation in time. We derive the coefficients of the finite-difference operator from a lowrank approximation of the space-wavenumber, wave-propagator matrix. Applying the technique of lowrank finitedifferences, we also improve the finite difference scheme of the two-way Fourier finite differences (FFD). We call the new operator lowrank Fourier finite differences (LFFD). Both the lowrank FD and lowrank FFD methods can be applied to enhance accuracy in seismic imaging by reverse-time migration. Numerical examples confirm the validity of the proposed technique. © The Authors 2013. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Royal Astronomical Society.